The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is seeking a qualified keynote speaker for three Texas Rising Star Early Educator Conferences in 2027. The speaker must have expertise in inspiring, motivational stories related to early education, perseverance, and working with families and children in high-risk situations. The speaker must be available for all three conferences in Houston and Grapevine, Texas, on specific dates in January, July, and August 2027. The presentation should be **** minutes long and will be recorded. The speaker is responsible for their own travel arrangements. TWC will provide hotel accommodations for up to two nights per presentation, with a limit of $500 per presentation. The speaker must pass a background check and submit invoices for payment. Responses are due by July 14, 2026. Evaluation criteria include cost, past performance, qualifications, experience, and the proposed presentation's relevance and impact.
Responses are due by July 14, 2026, at 10:00 a. m. Central Time. The contract term will commence on the fully executed contract date and expire on December 31, 2027.
Upon delivery of each keynote presentation, the speaker must submit an invoice that meets TWC's requirements for payment processing. Pricing agreed to in any resulting contract shall be firm and remain constant through the life of the contract.
Responses will be evaluated based on cost (40%), past performance, qualifications, and experience (30%), and the respondents proposed presentation (30%). The final selection will be based on best value.
The respondent must propose a speaker with at least two years of public speaking experience specific to early childhood education (0-5 years) or primary education (5-12 years). The speaker must also have professional references that specifically address their experience in presenting on relevant topics.
Failing to deliver any keynote presentation at the listed 2027 conference dates will result in liquidated damages of ten percent (10%) of the contract value for specific damages, including travel and lodging expenses, and five percent (5%) of the contract value for reputational harm.
The deadline for submitting questions or requests for clarification is June 18, 2026, at 5:00 p. m. Central Time.
Failure to comply with prohibited communication rules, failure to submit required forms, failure to meet minimum qualifications, or submitting incomplete responses may result in disqualification.
